Alaska Permafrost Yields 26 New Species to Fight Frostbite

Scientists digging into Alaska's ancient frozen ground just found 26 new species that could keep pilots safer and help people avoid frostbite.

A team from the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire, discovered the microorganisms in permafrost samples from Fox, Alaska. The ground had been frozen for at least 40,000 years.

Dr. Robyn Barbato leads the soil microbiology team that made the breakthrough. She explained that these microscopic organisms have evolved remarkable strategies to survive and even grow in freezing temperatures.

The discoveries are part of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) project called "Ice Control for Cold Environments." About 140 scientists across the country are working to turn these organisms into practical products for military use.

The potential applications sound like science fiction but are grounded in real biology. Products could include coatings that prevent ice from forming on aircraft wings, which is currently a major safety hazard. The team is also developing topical creams that people could apply to exposed skin before heading into extreme cold.

"Then maybe you could be out there in the cold for longer and you wouldn't risk getting something like frostbite," Barbato said. The need is urgent. Between 2024 and 2025, cold weather injuries among U.S. Armed Forces members jumped 42%, including cases of frostbite and hypothermia.

The Ripple Effect

While the research focuses on military applications, civilians will likely benefit too. Once products are tested and proven effective for soldiers, they'll transition to commercial companies for public use.

Barbato, who lives in North Thetford and enjoys skiing, is excited about the personal possibilities. "If there was a frostbite cream, I would totally use it," she said.

The project is just over halfway through its 3.5-year timeline. Product development starts this summer, with commercial availability expected in a few years. Dr. Jeffrey Zaleski, the DARPA program manager overseeing the research, has already seen promising demonstrations.

The team is also exploring ways to strengthen ice to make winter roads safer for vehicles. These ancient microorganisms, preserved in permafrost for millennia, are teaching scientists how life adapts to harsh environments.

"That's what's really exciting about the work," Zaleski said. "Learning how animals, plants, and other organisms evolve certain strategies to help them adapt to their changing environment and how we could use that knowledge to help humans adapt."

The discoveries prove that nature still holds solutions to modern challenges, even in the most extreme environments.